Tidal heating and convection in the medium sized ice satellites (Q1890128)

The ice satellites are naturally divided according to their radii \(R\) into the three classes (\(R\simeq 1200\) km -- large satellites, \(200\text{\,km}< R < 800\) km -- medium satellites, and small satellites of irregular shape). Surface features of some ice satellites indicate that the satellites are modified due to internally driven tectonic activity. The sources of energy inside the satellites are discussed, and a model of medium sized satellites is considered. The research is concerned with the convection resulting from both uniform radiogenic heating and non-uniform and non-spherically symmetric tidal heating. A three-dimensional model of convection is developed based on Navier-Stokes equations, the equation of thermal conductivity, the equation of continuity and the equation of state. The results of numerical investigations are presented in the form of numerous figures.